Measurement of bite force variables related to human discrimination of left-right hardness differences of silicone rubber samples placed between the incisors

This study was designed to examine human subjects' ability to discriminate between spatially different bite pressures. We measured actual bite pressure distribution when subjects simultaneously bit two silicone rubber samples with different hardnesses using their right and left incisors. They were instructed to compare the hardness of these two rubber samples and indicate which was harder (right or left). The correct-answer rates were statistically significant at P < 0.05 for all pairs of different right and left silicone rubber hardnesses. Simultaneous bite measurements using a multiple-point sheet sensor demonstrated that the bite force, active pressure and maximum pressure point were greater for the harder silicone rubber sample. The difference between the left and right was statistically significant (P < 0.05) for all pairs with different silicone rubber hardnesses. We demonstrated for the first time that subjects could perceive and discriminate between spatially different bite pressures during a single bite with incisors. Differences of the bite force, pressure and the maximum pressure point between the right and left silicone samples should be sensory cues for spatial hardness discrimination.     

The Distribution of Root Caries in Community-dwelling Elders in New England

An in-home examination of a probability sample of elders aged 70 and older living in the six New England states was conducted to estimate the prevalence and extent of root caries. Oral examinations were conducted by the visual-tactile method using a portable lamp, explorer, and a mouth mirror. Fifty-two percent of the study participants showed root caries experience and 22 percent had untreated root caries. In contrast to previous studies, this analysis showed that buccal root surfaces were no more likely than proximal surfaces to be affected by root caries. Logistic regression analysis showed that gingival recession and number of teeth were positively associated with root caries, while better oral hygiene maintenance and regular dental visits were negatively associated with root caries lesions (all factors: P <.05). The prevalence of root caries was found to increase with higher numbers of teeth except for a minority subgroup— i.e., those who retained 25 or more teeth. This study provides much-needed data on prevalence and extent of root caries in a probability sample of the oldest old in an entire region of the United States.     

Biomechanics of Cantilever Fixed Partial Dentures in Shortened Dental Arch Therapy

PURPOSE: The purpose of the present study was to investigate, by means of 3-dimensional finite element analysis, aspects of the biomechanics of cantilever fixed partial dentures replacing the maxillary canine in shortened dental arch therapy. The null hypothesis was that no differences would be identified by finite element analysis in the mechanical behavior of the 2 designs of cantilever fixed partial denture under different scenarios of occlusal loading. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Single- and double-abutted cantilever fixed partial dentures were modeled and analyzed using the finite element packages PATRAN and ABAQUS. Displacement and maximum principal stresses (magnitude and location) within the fixed partial dentures, supporting structures, and the periodontal ligament/bone and abutment/retainer interfaces were examined under 20 different scenarios of axial and lateral occlusal loading. RESULTS: The results indicate that more displacement occurred in the 2 rather than the 3-unit cantilever fixed partial denture, with the greatest displacement having occurred under lateral loading. The maximum principal stresses observed in the periodontal ligament/bone interfaces were greatest buccocervically, with the highest value being observed in the 2-unit fixed partial denture under lateral loading. The highest maximum principal stresses observed in the retainer/abutment interfaces were located cervically in relation to the distal margin of the retainer of the 2-unit fixed partial denture under axial loading. CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that in adopting a cantilever fixed partial denture approach for the replacement of a missing maxillary canine in shortened dental arch therapy, there may be merits, in terms of mechanical behavior, in selecting a double-rather than a single-abutment design. Furthermore, prostheses' displacement and functional stresses may be minimized by reducing lateral loading and avoiding pontic only loading.     

3-D Finite element analysis of all-ceramic posterior crowns

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the stress distribution under various loading conditions within posterior all-ceramic crowns. A three-dimensional finite element model representing a lower first molar was constructed. Variations of the model had two types of single layer all-ceramic crowns (Dicor and Empress) and two types of double layer all-ceramic crowns (In-Ceram and Empress2) cemented. A load of 600 N, simulating the maximum bite force, was applied vertically to the crowns. Loads of 225 N, simulating masticatory force, were applied from three directions (vertically, at a 45 degrees angle, and horizontally). In the test simulating maximum bite force, the maximum tensile stresses on all crowns (17.4-19.4 MPa) concentrated around the loading points. In the masticatory force simulation test, the specimens experienced maximum tensile stresses of 19.7-27.0 MPa under a horizontal load and 10.8-10.9 MPa under a vertical load. When the load was applied horizontally, the maximum tensile stress was observed around the loading points on the surface in the case of the single layer crowns, and of the cervical area of the inner core of the double layer crowns. Within the limitation of this study, it was found that the strength of occlusal contact points is important to the integrity of posterior all-ceramic crowns and that bite forces applied from the horizontal direction are a critical factor.     

Investigation of trends and characteristics in patients with obstructive sleep apnea

Background

Oral appliance (OA) therapy for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has only been part of Japan’s National Health care coverage plan since 2004. Subsequently, not enough time has passed to establish the medical trends and characteristics of OSA patients in Japanese Dental Hospitals.

Aim

The aim of this study was to investigate the medical trends and the characteristics in patients with OSA who visited our clinic, and to compare our findings with previous studies.

Setting and design

Epidemiological survey (retrospective study).

Materials and methods

Two hundred and one patients were recruited at the Internal Medicine Division in the Tsurumi University Dental Hospital from February 2006 to December 2008, consecutively. Patients received a medical interview, and a detailed sleep analysis that included a polysomnography (PSG) to verify the exact nature of their condition. The efficacy of OA was assessed in 49 patients who wore an OA and underwent PSG.

Results

Of all subjects, 141 patients visited the Prosthodontic Division to receive OA therapy, 38 patients were treated or received a follow up examination in the Internal Medicine Division. The dropout rate was 10.4% in the all subjects, 17.0% in patients who visited the Prosthodontic Division. The male-to-female ratio was 3.3:1, 3.0:1 in patients who visited the Prosthodontic Division. In addition, females had a lower rate of OAS severity than males. In our patients, the major complication was hypertension and cardiac disease. The success rate of OA was 75.5%.

Conclusion

This approach allowed us to reveal some of the trends and characteristics in our patients.     

Percent of plaque on individual tooth surfaces and differences in plaque area between adjacent teeth in healthy adults

Abstract Objectives: To apply a planimetric method to determine the percentage of the tooth area covered by plaque on individual tooth surfaces and to compare the percentage of plaque between adjacent tooth surfaces. Methods: Forty‐three adults, mean age 43.0 years, with no signs of periodontal disease, participated. The subjects underwent comprehensive professional cleaning of all teeth. The subjects were then instructed to maintain their ordinary oral hygiene habits. Plaque was registered after 1 month, on each individual tooth surface by use of P%I. Results: The pattern of plaque accumulation was in large symmetrical, with differences in mean P%I between several adjacent tooth surfaces, e.g. for the maxillary buccal and lingual tooth surfaces between the first and second molars (P < 0.001) and for the lingual tooth surfaces between the canines and the first premolars (P < 0.01). Conclusion: In the present study, it was possible to identify and describe adjacent tooth surfaces with the most pronounced plaque accumulation, to make further improvements of oral hygiene possible.     

Stress distribution associated with loaded acrylic-metal-cement crowns by using finite element method

The axisymmetrical finite element method (FEM) was used to compare stress distribution in a maxillary second premolar restored tooth. The three models were evaluated by crowning the tooth with Au-Pd alloy, Ni-Cr alloy and Ti alloy with acrylic. A longitudinal static force, 200 N in magnitude at an angle of 45 degrees was applied on the occlusal margin of each model. The tooth was assumed isotropic, homogenous and elastic. This numerical study was carried out using axisymmetric finite element models and calculation programmes were prepared by the authors using FORTRAN 77. Comparison of stress distributions was made in four regions of apex, cole, dentin-metal interface and metal-acrylic interface. The highest stress values were obtained when NiCr alloy with acrylic was used.     

不同螺纹形态种植体对颌骨应力影响的三维有限元比较研究

目的:探讨圆柱形螺纹种植体螺纹形态对骨组织应力分布的影响,为临床设计和选择最佳的螺纹形态提供理论依据。方法:建立了12种包含不同螺纹形态种植体的颌骨骨块三维有限元模型:1 mm、2 mm和3 mm矩形螺纹设计(S-1、S-2和S-3);90°、60°和30°V形螺纹设计(V-1、V-2和V-3);45°、30°和15°支撑形螺纹设计(B-1、B-2和B-3);45°、30°和15°反支撑形螺纹设计(R-1、R-2和R-3)。对所有模型进行应力分布和Von M ises应力峰值的比较。结果:垂直向加载下S-2、V-3、B-3、R-1、R-2和R-3螺纹表现出较好的应力分布状态,在颊舌向加载下S-1、S-2、V-3、B-3、R-2和R-3螺纹表现出较好的应力分布状态。结论:提示S-2、V-3、B-3、R-2和R-3螺纹设计均适用于圆柱形种植体,反支撑螺纹为圆柱形种植体的最佳螺纹设计选择。     

二单位式与四单位式种植牙周骨界面应力分布规律差异的三维有限元分析

为了探讨人工种植牙的数目、上部结构对种植牙周骨界面应力分布的影响，本实验应用三维有限元分析方法，对二单位和四单位式杆式覆盖种植义齿种植牙周骨界面的应力分布规律进行了探讨。结果表明：最大压应力、最大拉应力二单位式与四单位式均位于颈周密质骨，二单位式大于四单位式，两者有显著差异性，（Ｐ＜０．００１）。四单位式最大拉、压应力，远中种植牙要大于近中种植牙。最大位移运动二单位式小于四单位式，四单位式近中种植牙大于远中种植牙。二单位式与四单位式位、压应力主要集中于颈部，其它部位与颈部相比有非常显著的差异性，（Ｐ＜０．０００１）。结论：种植牙数目的增加，可以减小种植牙周颈部密质骨内的最大应力值。四单位式种植义齿颈周骨内应力要小于二单位式种植牙，从这点上看，四单位式种植义齿要优于二单位式种植义齿。多个种植牙种植时，杆的连接，改变了种植牙周骨内的应力分布规律，其应力主要由种植牙颈周密质骨来承担